Do you know the history of audio recording where the 8-track and cassette tape are concerned?  Read on for more info about the history of audio recording from a vintage audiophile standpoint!

An 8 Track is a magnetic tape sound-recording technology that was popular in the United States from the mid-1960s to the late 1970s, when the Compact Cassette format took over.

8-Tracks were invented by William Powell Lear, the man behind Lear Jet.  8-tracks were commonly referred to as Stereo 8, 8-track cartridges, and 8-track tapes.  8-tracks were almost completely phased out by late 1982, but some remained available through Columbia House and RCA until late 1988. This audio format is now considered obsolete, however there are many collectors and enthusiasts that search high and low for the perfect 8-track!

A cassette tape is an analog magnetic tape recording format for audio recording and playback.
The cassette tape was invented in 1963 by Phillips.  They were commonly referred to as compact cassettes or tapes.  Originally designed for dictation machines, cassette tapes quickly became the popular choice for recording music and eventually replaced 8-tracks.  By the early 1990s, CDs began to take over - making cassette tapes considered obsolete in this day and age.  By 2007, the biggest electronics retailer in Britain announced they would stop selling cassette tapes altogether.  However, like all things vintage and retro, many people still enjoy and collect them!

Lewis Interiors stocks many 8-tracks and cassette tapes in our eBay store, along with TONS of vinyl records... Check them out! 

Who are we?  
Lewis Interiors delivers high-quality vintage/retro goods and custom handcrafted furniture to local and online clients.  Lewis Interiors strives to be a leader in the vintage and American-made handcrafted furniture industry.  We make an effort to provide an excellent customer experience from beginning to end on every transaction.  As a small family-owned business, our goal is to obtain moderate growth and annual profitability - while maintaining our passion for Mid Century Modern style and delivering high-quality products.

Are you wondering how to clean a vinyl record? Let's help you out! We have found the best way to clean vinyl records because we have been buying, selling and listening to them for so many years now. Cleaning your vinyl records can easily be done with the proper setup and materials.  Use these steps for a DIY approach of perfecting your vinyl collection.  At Lewis Interiors, we use an easy 7-step process to clean a vinyl record:

Materials Needed:
-Sturdy board (13"x13" or larger)
-2 microfiber towels
-Small-headed screw
-Flat paint sponge
-Spray bottle filled with 90% distilled water & 10% rubbing alcohol (must use 91% Isopropyl Alcohol)

1. Attach a microfiber towel to the sturdy board.  We staple ours, but you can be creative in this process, depending on how often you will be cleaning records. 
2. Attach a small-headed screw in the center of the board to hold the record.
3. Place the record on the board, hanging from the center screw. 
4. Spray the painter's sponge with your alcohol mixture. 
5. Spin the sponge around the record.  It will clean the grooves out nicely.  Be very careful not the touch the label with the wet sponge during this step.
6. Finally, wipe the record with a clean & dry microfiber towel.
7. Repeat these steps for the second side of the vinyl record.

These simple 7 steps are the best way to clean vinyl records because they will give you a squeaky clean record without damaging it!  This is a time-tested method we have used for many years to clean all of our personal and listed vinyl records.  We have thousands in our own collection, and have never been disappointed!  Check out our eBay store to see our vast vinyl record selection.  With nearly 800 records currently listed, you're sure to find something you love!

A Quadraphonic sound system is basically the original form of surround sound. It was developed in the 1970s. You can experience a true quadraphonic sound system by utilizing a quadraphonic compatible amplifier and four speakers located in each corner of the room. You can also achieve this effect by using true quadraphonic headphones.  While you can play any type of media on a quadraphonic system, the only way to achieve true quadraphonic sound is by using quadraphonic recorded media, such as vintage cassette tapes and vinyl records.  This is a very unique way of enjoying your vintage music, and those who do so swear by its superior quality even in the face of today's digital music revolution.  Lewis Interiors is proud to be your quadraphonic sound source, and we always have several quadraphonic records available in the Vinyl Records category of our eBay store! 

At Lewis Interiors, we have a passion for records! Our extensive record collection includes all genres, including soundtracks and specialty albums. We only list the best and cleanest records we have. All of the records we sell are graded VG or better.  We have nearly 700 records listed, and THOUSANDS waiting to be uploaded. If you're looking for something specific, let us know.  We just might have it in our collection!

In order to keep our collection in tip-top shape, we take great care for vinyl records when we ship them. We take great pride in our mailing efforts. All of our records are shipped in specialty reinforced cardboard boxes made specifically for vinyl records. We also remove the record from the cover to prevent splitting. We start with corrugated cardboard and then the record, cover and original slipcover are placed in a reusable plastic slipcover for friction safety. 

Moral of the story:  If you're ordering a record from Lewis Interiors, rest assured that it will arrive to you in excellent condition because of our extreme care for vinyl records.  Our small handling fee pays for the box and shipping supplies.  Trust us, it's worth it.  If you've dealt with other sellers who don't pack and ship properly... you know EXACTLY what we're talking about!  We also welcome you to view all of our available vinyl records available in our eBay store!